HE HAS great hands, fast feet and a brilliant football brain.
Now you can add big heart to Josh Reynolds’ list of qualities.
The Canterbury and NSW five-eighth has become a hero to an eight-year-old boy by writing an old-fashioned, handwritten letter encouraging the youngster not to give up on his dream of playing rugby league because he is too small.
It started when little Tommy Norenbergs, the son of ABC Grandstand radio manager Craig Norenbergs, told his Dad he felt he was too small for football.
Norenbergs had no idea an innocent chat about his son’s predicament with Bulldogs great Steve Mortimer would lead to Tommy becoming pen pals with an Origin star.
After his discussions with the ABC man, Mortimer spoke with Reynolds who personally penned a letter to Josh, reassuring him his small stature wouldn’t hold him back.
Like Steve (Mortimer), I am also a smaller NRL player than a lot of my Bulldogs and NSW State of Origin teammates,” Reynolds wrote.
“Don’t ever let any people say to you that you’re small because Steve, you and myself as an eight-year-old, we weren’t the biggest but we were fast and we were never scared of tacking big players because when you tackle them around the legs they fall down quickly.”
Norenbergs said Tommy, a passionate Canberra Raiders fan until receiving the correspondence from Reynolds, was ecstatic when he opened the letter.
“How good is Josh? Posted by himself, handwritten. It was totally their idea.
“Tommy loved it. You should have seen his little face light up. It was like Christmas in June.
“This letter will be pinned up on the wall.
“I hate saying it as a Raiders tragic but they (Canterbury) may have stolen my son from the Green Machine.”
Craig’s wife, Evonne, added: “This is just lovely. I don’t think the players realise what an impact they have when they do something so nice.
“Tommy says he feels like a giant now. But let’s remember it started with the nicest guy, Steve Mortimer.”
Canterbury chief executive Raelene Castle last night praised Reynolds’ off-field work.
“What we love about Josh is that he displays passion on the field and genuine interest for young aspiring or sick kids off the field,” Castle said.
“He recognises that the Bulldogs’ contribution in the community can make a significant difference.”
Reynolds isn’t the only Bulldogs player to write letter to fans and was a little embarrassed on Wednesday with all the accolades.
“More so for the fact that all the players do it, not just him,” a club spokesman said.
Friday night at a packed Brookvale Oval, Reynolds will again lead the Dogs into action.
Then, on Tuesday, Reynolds will again be chosen in the NSW side for Origin II at ANZ Stadium on June 18.
Replies
Saw it ...but it is a Canterbury player you're highlighting. You know that, don't you?
OSIRIDEN=DOG LOVER
LOL
It was a blatant attempt to stir the QLDers wasn't it especially after THAT tackle in origin?
Maybe I'm just pessimistic?
he's still a grub
I don't think he's grubby. I can't recall any Cam Smith or Billy Slater like grubby acts from Josh Reynolds. The tackle on Tate in Origin wasn't dirty or done with any malice, it was careless.
He's probably a bit of an agitator, but again, that shouldn't be confused with grubbiness.
He's a born footy player that's for sure. Good on him in this instance.
I just thought it was a good story.
The fact that an NRL player took time to write a handwritten letter to a kid who was often left out of sides due to size.
This is what I love about League the fact that you get players of all sizes and shapes. It seems like the modern game is focusing on body type first and skill second where as I think if you've got determination and a bit of ability anyone has a shot in making it.
I've been really proud of many Eels players for the work they do in the community. I thought this was a good story because it shows that a hand written letter can be much more powerful and personal than a blog or a comment on a twitter.
Stephen Mortimer arranged it and I think that's a great thing to do for a kid who wants to play the sport but is worried about being monster'd by some of these hulk kids running around.
Not only did he take the time to write to the boy, but Reynolds himself had take the time to learn how to write.
The 8 year-old boy is in fact, now 19.
It is amazing what some of the players we all dislike(hate) on the field actually do behind the scenes. Many years ago my best mates brother was dying of cancer and his family asked the manly club if they could offer him some words or best wishes from some players. Manly's reply was he was too old (24) and they wouldn't get any media coverage out of it, so they didn't send any one. Some how Terry Hill found out, and turned up to the hospital in his own time and with no media around, and spent a couple of hours with him. He died a week later, but I know it meant so much to him that Terry spoke with him. I always saw Terry Hill in a different light after that AND I still hate manly.
Did you get one from him, Wiz?
Bahahahahahahaha! Snake has a few letters from Ivan.
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